How To Kill Your Neighbor's Dog

Rating:
Summary: Very Strong Film
Review: A very good movie that puts it effort into dialogue and acting instead of special effects and camera work. The film is packed with humor, but the viewer has to pay close attention to gestures and mumblings to get every single piece of humor. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I laughed out loud and was very impressed with this one.

Rating:
Summary: Would have given it 5 stars if not for the DVD
Review: Although I agree with most other reviewers about the not so cool DVD, I totally enjoyed this dark comedy. It all started with a writer's block then developed itself into a rich portrait of life reflecting utmost hilarity and sensitivity at the same time -- hence the touchy tagline "One man's pet is another man's peeve". Kenneth Branagh who became one of my favorite actors for his role in Woody Allen's "Celebrity" delivered another excellent leading role that was beautifully matched up by the performances of Robin Wright (Forrest Gump's lovely Jenny) and Suzi Hofrichter as little Amy. My only hope is that the producers will release an enhanced letterboxed DVD later on. I wouldn't mind to spend a few more bucks to have this movie in my collection.

Rating:
Summary: Don't Let the Title Put You Off
Review: First of all, the biggest obstacle to enjoying and appreciating this movie is the fact that the title alone is going to keep it out of most people's hands. Let's face it, when the average, discerning viewer browsing the local video store shelves comes across one called "How To Kill Your Neighbor's Dog," it immediately gets mentally shuffled into the mindbox right alongside such obtuse fare as the consummately repugnant and forgettable "Surf Nazis Must Die," (which, by the way, is a title I never thought would issue forth from my fingertips for any reason whatsoever, but it happens to work here) or the likes. I mean, slapping on such a designation is like insisting on a strike three call with the first pitch when you're the batter. Then again, there's that old saying about judging a film by it's cover. Take "Office Space," for example; who in a million years would have expected something as entertaining and insightful from Mike Judge, the guy who gave the world Beavis and Butthead, for crying out loud? (Still, in retrospect, Beavis and Butthead wasn't half bad...). The point is, writer/director Michael Kalesniko did himself a major disservice with his title, which may have been a shock value attempt to grab some attention that didn't really work out. But if you can overcome what for most will surely be an entirely understandable prejudice against this one, you'll be in for a treat. And in the final analysis, it points up the wisdom of not dismissing any movie out-of-hand.

Hollywood denizen Peter McGowan (Kenneth Branagh) is a successful playwright, but in the show biz tradition of "what have you done for me lately?" he is having trouble getting his latest play off to a running start. Rehearsals have begun, but even director Brian Sellars (David Krumholtz) can't seem to find the magic. And poor Peter is experiencing a heavy hit of writer's block that is preventing him from fixing it, and working out of his home doesn't seem to be the answer. Wife Melanie (Robin Wright Penn) is supportive, but they have no children of their own, and pursuant of her natural motherly instincts, she has taken on eight-year-old Amy Walsh (Suzi Hofrichter), daughter of new neighbor and single mom Trina (Lucinda Jenney), to babysit. In addition to which there is a "False Peter" (Jared Harris) roaming about the neighborhood, a fan, apparently, who has taken on Peter's identity, and to top it all off, the neighbor's dog just will not quit barking. Suffice to say Peter is not seeing the world through rose colored glasses these days, but there has to be an answer to his many and myriad dilemmas; now all he has to do is find it.

Perhaps sabotaging his own film with a title that instantly relegated it to "cult" status was Kalesniko's way of getting into his alter-ego's skin and exploring Peter's conundrum and his possible reactions. And if such was the case, it worked. Because once you give this film a chance, you'll find that it's funny, poignant and actually filled with some pretty astute insights into and observations of the human condition. This is a black comedy/drama, to be sure, but at the heart of the film there is a dramatic story that will evoke no small amount of empathy and compassion from the audience. Which is to say, with this film you get so much more than what you bargained for; it is decidedly NOT what you're expecting based on the title alone. There are a couple of instances in which Kalesniko succumbs to a bit of unnecessary low-brow humor, but it's not enough to detract from the whole. In the end, this film dips deeply into the pockets of human nature to extract the kind of sentiments (without being sentimental) rarely found in a film of this genre, and it makes a positive and lasting impression.

The role of a transplanted Brit insomniac playwright with writer's block must have seemed like a character out of a dream for Kenneth Branagh, who totally immerses himself in Peter and comes up with a winning and memorable portrayal. The character was obviously well written to begin with, but Branagh takes hold of the part and runs with it, making it entirely his own by lending the kind of depth and nuance to it that really brings Peter to life. The development of the character is effected extremely well, too, as initially, Peter is a guy who is not necessarily likable, with quirks and peccadilloes aplenty. But as the story progresses, so does Peter, and there's some tender moments along the way that are quite unexpected, given the attitude and bearing Peter starts out with. And it's the way Branagh brings his character around that makes it work; it evolves rather than coming from a sudden left turn out of nowhere. Peter finally has a "breakthrough," and it comes from a place that is completely unanticipated. It's a solid performance, and one of the rewards that comes from successfully navigating past Kalesniko's questionable title.

Robin Wright Penn is also impressive in her role as Melanie, though it's not too much of a stretch for her artistically. But it's one of those straightforward "normal" characters that seem so easy to play they are often taken for granted (Easy? Let he among you who has acted in front of a camera without once looking at it cast the first stone). The real find here, however, is the young Hofrichter, who is endearing and totally effective as Amy, a young girl with her own challenges to overcome.

The supporting cast includes Lynn Redgrave (Edna), Peter Riegert (Larry), Johnathon Schaech (Adam), Derek Kellock (Amy's Father) and Peri Gilpin (Debra). Happening upon this film is like ordering a hamburger and being served filet mignon for the same price; and it makes "How To Kill Your Neighbor's Dog" a thoroughly satisfying and fulfilling cinematic experience. Give it a try.

Rating:
Summary: Don't Let the Title Put You Off
Review: First of all, the biggest obstacle to enjoying and appreciating this movie is the fact that the title alone is going to keep it out of most people's hands. Let's face it, when the average, discerning viewer browsing the local video store shelves comes across one called "How To Kill Your Neighbor's Dog," it immediately gets mentally shuffled into the mindbox right alongside such obtuse fare as the consummately repugnant and forgettable "Surf Nazis Must Die," (which, by the way, is a title I never thought would issue forth from my fingertips for any reason whatsoever, but it happens to work here) or the likes. I mean, slapping on such a designation is like insisting on a strike three call with the first pitch when you're the batter. Then again, there's that old saying about judging a film by it's cover. Take "Office Space," for example; who in a million years would have expected something as entertaining and insightful from Mike Judge, the guy who gave the world Beavis and Butthead, for crying out loud? (Still, in retrospect, Beavis and Butthead wasn't half bad...). The point is, writer/director Michael Kalesniko did himself a major disservice with his title, which may have been a shock value attempt to grab some attention that didn't really work out. But if you can overcome what for most will surely be an entirely understandable prejudice against this one, you'll be in for a treat. And in the final analysis, it points up the wisdom of not dismissing any movie out-of-hand.

Hollywood denizen Peter McGowan (Kenneth Branagh) is a successful playwright, but in the show biz tradition of "what have you done for me lately?" he is having trouble getting his latest play off to a running start. Rehearsals have begun, but even director Brian Sellars (David Krumholtz) can't seem to find the magic. And poor Peter is experiencing a heavy hit of writer's block that is preventing him from fixing it, and working out of his home doesn't seem to be the answer. Wife Melanie (Robin Wright Penn) is supportive, but they have no children of their own, and pursuant of her natural motherly instincts, she has taken on eight-year-old Amy Walsh (Suzi Hofrichter), daughter of new neighbor and single mom Trina (Lucinda Jenney), to babysit. In addition to which there is a "False Peter" (Jared Harris) roaming about the neighborhood, a fan, apparently, who has taken on Peter's identity, and to top it all off, the neighbor's dog just will not quit barking. Suffice to say Peter is not seeing the world through rose colored glasses these days, but there has to be an answer to his many and myriad dilemmas; now all he has to do is find it.

Perhaps sabotaging his own film with a title that instantly relegated it to "cult" status was Kalesniko's way of getting into his alter-ego's skin and exploring Peter's conundrum and his possible reactions. And if such was the case, it worked. Because once you give this film a chance, you'll find that it's funny, poignant and actually filled with some pretty astute insights into and observations of the human condition. This is a black comedy/drama, to be sure, but at the heart of the film there is a dramatic story that will evoke no small amount of empathy and compassion from the audience. Which is to say, with this film you get so much more than what you bargained for; it is decidedly NOT what you're expecting based on the title alone. There are a couple of instances in which Kalesniko succumbs to a bit of unnecessary low-brow humor, but it's not enough to detract from the whole. In the end, this film dips deeply into the pockets of human nature to extract the kind of sentiments (without being sentimental) rarely found in a film of this genre, and it makes a positive and lasting impression.

The role of a transplanted Brit insomniac playwright with writer's block must have seemed like a character out of a dream for Kenneth Branagh, who totally immerses himself in Peter and comes up with a winning and memorable portrayal. The character was obviously well written to begin with, but Branagh takes hold of the part and runs with it, making it entirely his own by lending the kind of depth and nuance to it that really brings Peter to life. The development of the character is effected extremely well, too, as initially, Peter is a guy who is not necessarily likable, with quirks and peccadilloes aplenty. But as the story progresses, so does Peter, and there's some tender moments along the way that are quite unexpected, given the attitude and bearing Peter starts out with. And it's the way Branagh brings his character around that makes it work; it evolves rather than coming from a sudden left turn out of nowhere. Peter finally has a "breakthrough," and it comes from a place that is completely unanticipated. It's a solid performance, and one of the rewards that comes from successfully navigating past Kalesniko's questionable title.

Robin Wright Penn is also impressive in her role as Melanie, though it's not too much of a stretch for her artistically. But it's one of those straightforward "normal" characters that seem so easy to play they are often taken for granted (Easy? Let he among you who has acted in front of a camera without once looking at it cast the first stone). The real find here, however, is the young Hofrichter, who is endearing and totally effective as Amy, a young girl with her own challenges to overcome.

The supporting cast includes Lynn Redgrave (Edna), Peter Riegert (Larry), Johnathon Schaech (Adam), Derek Kellock (Amy's Father) and Peri Gilpin (Debra). Happening upon this film is like ordering a hamburger and being served filet mignon for the same price; and it makes "How To Kill Your Neighbor's Dog" a thoroughly satisfying and fulfilling cinematic experience. Give it a try.

Rating:
Summary: Funny
Review: How To Kill Your Neighbor's dog is an often funny, rambling movie about a cynical writer on a streak of theatrical failures. Initially the movie contents itself with the writer's giggle inducing observations and rejoinders, often hilarious situational comedy, and interesting support actors (the maternity obsessed wife, two actors great at playing two terrible actors, petula clark obsessed director, flexible doppelganger, morning coffe tv show host trying for something more, and an anal probing doctor and comerade in world-weary arms). While the comedy becomes a bit trite, it's still humorous (especially a scene where it portrays the actors performing (even backspaces) as he types the script, and the only point at which the movie begins to falter is when it develops sentimentality and something beyond its barebones setting. Instead of continuing upon the noble path of disposing all uneccessary narrative, or trying for something beyond what it is, it venally strays toward some sort of righteous hollywood-heart-warmer-ala-shawshank-redemption sentiment, which it either fails miserably at or manages to avoid the typical pitfalls of - either way, it perfectly trases the detached comedy of watching the world dealing with the writer and visa versa.

Solid rental, improbable purchase, but worth a viewing.

Rating:
Summary: Funny
Review: How To Kill Your Neighbor's dog is an often funny, rambling movie about a cynical writer on a streak of theatrical failures. Initially the movie contents itself with the writer's giggle inducing observations and rejoinders, often hilarious situational comedy, and interesting support actors (the maternity obsessed wife, two actors great at playing two terrible actors, petula clark obsessed director, flexible doppelganger, morning coffe tv show host trying for something more, and an anal probing doctor and comerade in world-weary arms). While the comedy becomes a bit trite, it's still humorous (especially a scene where it portrays the actors performing (even backspaces) as he types the script, and the only point at which the movie begins to falter is when it develops sentimentality and something beyond its barebones setting. Instead of continuing upon the noble path of disposing all uneccessary narrative, or trying for something beyond what it is, it venally strays toward some sort of righteous hollywood-heart-warmer-ala-shawshank-redemption sentiment, which it either fails miserably at or manages to avoid the typical pitfalls of - either way, it perfectly trases the detached comedy of watching the world dealing with the writer and visa versa.

Solid rental, improbable purchase, but worth a viewing.

Rating:
Summary: Almost missed a gem
Review: I bought an aftermarket tape of this simply because I will pay to hear Kenneth Branagh read the phone book. I expected something fairly cynical from the title -- fine with me, most days I hate dogs and children. So it's a tribute to the film that I ended up caring about the little-girl neighbor that playwright Branagh bonds with while innocently thinking he's just "collecting material" for his roadblocked play.

What a refreshing concept: nothing in this film is played for cheap excitement. Instead, the human story is so engaging that I wondered for hours after the film what might happen to the little girl as she grew up; whether Peter McGowen (Branagh) and wife would have their own kid or not (unlike some reviewers, I didn't get the feeling that his general distaste for this idea was necessarily expunged by his avuncular friendship); what ultimately became of the unhinged but weirdly appealing fellow Brit who appoints himself McGowen's shadow and engages him in insomniac conversation night after night.

Dear to my heart was the periodic appearance of McGowen on a morning-TV interview show, in which he (finally with great truculence) gives the typical BS author-interview questions the kind of answers they deserve. The dialogue throughout is full of little gems and, be warned, rude language (McGowen and wife have a mild spat about "frigging": "It's not a swear. It's representative of a swear.") It is NOT a generic "heartwarming" movie...

Rating:
Summary: Great Branagh!
Review: I happened to catch this movie on TV one night and, being a Kenneth Branagh fan, I watched it and was thrilled. Kenneth plays the part perfectly and it is laugh-out-loud funny sometimes and heartbreaking in others. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Great Branagh!
Review: I happened to catch this movie on TV one night and, being a Kenneth Branagh fan, I watched it and was thrilled. Kenneth plays the part perfectly and it is laugh-out-loud funny sometimes and heartbreaking in others. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: very intelligent, funny and poignant
Review: I picked up a copy of this movie at a local library. I admire both Kenneth Branagh, and Robin Wright Penn; and the title was what intrigued and amused me. This is a delightful movie. The script is fast, witty and intelligent. Branagh reciting the phone book would be poetry to me. The little girl does a fabulous job. How she enchants Branagh into thinking that kids are probably not that bad after all, and the inevitable confrontation between him and the child's mother over the dancing lessons beautifully illustrated the difficulties of an over-protective parent vs another who sees only the child's open spirit, and will to try despite a physically challenged condition. Fans of Penn and Branagh will seek this out anyway, but it deserves to be seen and enjoyed by a much wider audience. Don't let the title put you off. Go see it and be charmed and enchanted too.